TRAILBLAZER IN JUSTICE: Katherine Fernandez Rundle’s Legacy of Reform and Resilience In the heart of Miami-Dade, where cultures converge and communities strive for equity, Katherine Fernandez Rundlehas spent over three decades redefining justice. A proud Cuban-American and the first Hispanic and first woman to serve as State Attorney in Florida, Fernandez Rundle has built a legacy rooted in innovation, compassion, and accountability. A Lifelong Commitment to Service Born in Washington, D.C., and raised with strong Cuban roots, Fernandez Rundle’s journey into law began with a passion for justice and a desire to make a difference in underserved communities. She earned degrees in Criminology from the University of Miami and a law degree from the University of Cambridge in England, an international education that shaped her nuanced view of justice. Before stepping into the role of State Attorney, she served for 15 years under then-State Attorney Janet Reno, including time as Chief Assistant and Legal Counsel to the Grand Jury. When Reno left to become U.S. Attorney General, Fernandez Rundle was appointed to take her place, a role she has held with distinction ever since. Reform Through “Smart Justice” Under Fernandez Rundle’s leadership, Miami-Dade became a national model for “Smart Justice”, a system that emphasizes rehabilitation, prevention, and public trust. She pioneered the country’s first Drug Court, followed by Mental Health and Veterans Courts, as well as programs to reduce truancy, domestic violence, and elder abuse. Her office also runs Florida’s only prosecutor-led Child Support Enforcement Office, handling more than 65,000 cases annually and recovering over $1 billion in support for children and families. Her signature Second Chance Seal & Expunge Program helps eligible individuals clear their records, providing monthly workshops to guide people through the process and support reintegration into society. A Champion for the Vulnerable Fernandez Rundle has long been an advocate for the voiceless: survivors of human trafficking, victims of gun violence, and working families facing impossible choices. Through the Human Trafficking Task Force, her office collaborates with law enforcement and nonprofit agencies to rescue victims and prosecute perpetrators with vigor. Meanwhile, embedded prosecutors in violence-prone
neighborhoods help build trust and improve safety from within. And she’s just as invested in the future, launching school-based initiatives and youth mentorship programs that aim to steer young people away from the justice system before they ever come in contact with it. Leading with Vision Now in her eighth term, Fernandez Rundle continues to lead one of the largest prosecutor’s offices in the U.S. She was the first woman to serve as President of the Cuban American Bar Association and has been inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame for her lasting contributions. Her work has helped drive a significant decline in crime across Miami-Dade, while maintaining some of Florida’s lowest jail incarceration and prison admission rates. For many in the Latino community, Katherine Fernandez Rundle is more than a public official, she is a symbol of resilience, reform, and leadership that listens.
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